Watch Live: Abortion Rights Supporters Demonstrate on National Mall

Above is a livestream of the Bans Off Our Our bodies demonstration in Washington, D.C. A warning that audio system might use robust, profane or disturbing language.

What to Know

• The Bans Off Our Our bodies protest and march to the Supreme Courtroom in Washington, D.C., is going on Saturday afternoon.
• Parking restrictions and road closures are anticipated; attendees are inspired to take Metro.
• Audio system embody U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, who has opened up about getting an abortion as a teen.

Massive crowds of reproductive rights advocates are flocking to the Nationwide Mall in Washington, D.C., Saturday to demand authorized protections for anybody in search of an abortion.

The Bans Off Our Our bodies demonstration was anticipated to attract as much as 17,000 folks to the Washington Monument, in accordance with a federal allow, and greater than 350 companion protests are deliberate nationwide.

It’s in response to a leaked draft opinion that signifies Supreme Courtroom justices are ready to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 determination that affirmed a constitutional proper to entry abortions.

Caitlin Loehr, 34, of Washington, wore a black T-shirt with a picture of the late Supreme Courtroom Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s “dissent” collar on it and a necklace that spelled out “vote.”

“I feel that girls ought to have the fitting to decide on what to do with their our bodies and their lives. And I don’t assume banning abortion will cease abortion. It simply makes it unsafe and might price a girl her life,” Loehr instructed the Related Press.

Kelley Robinson, government director of the Deliberate Parenthood Motion Fund, took the stage first and stated that abortion rights are below assault.

“We’re right here as a result of these people are attempting to kick us out of the structure and take away a constitutional proper we have had for the final 50 years,” Robinson stated. “We’re right here to indicate them that we’re the bulk.”

Professional-abortion-rights supporters are flocking to the Nationwide Mall in Washington, D.C., Saturday in response to a leaked draft opinion that signifies Supreme Courtroom justices are ready to overturn Roe v. Wade. News4’s Derrick Ward stories.

D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George spoke about issues about abortion rights within the District if Roe v. Wade had been to be overturned.

“All my life, I’ve seen Republicans in Congress step into our affairs and impose their will on D.C. residents. They’ve already banned us from utilizing our funds our personal funds on abortion care, locking low-income ladies from receiving the care,” George stated.

“So we all know that if Roe is overturned, they are going to come for us by transferring to ban abortion within the District of Columbia,” she continued.

Different audio system on the schedule embody U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, who has opened up about terminating a being pregnant as a teen, native activists and nationwide organizers.

Crowds converged round a stage with a big “bans off our our bodies” banner close to the Nationwide Museum of African American Historical past and Tradition Saturday morning.

Activists laid an enormous, pink banner close to the Washington Monument. White letters as tall as folks spelled out: “Our our bodies, our abortions.”

Images: Abortion Rights Supporters Exhibit on Nationwide Mall

Many demonstrators wore shirts studying, “Our our bodies, our futures, our abortions,” or carried indicators. Some indicators learn, “You may’t ban abortions, you may solely ban secure abortions” and “assist our proper to decide on.”

Demonstrators plan to march to the Supreme Courtroom, which is surrounded by excessive fencing. Obstacles had been erected amid heated however peaceable protests after the draft opinion leaked. Demonstrators additionally marched close to Supreme Courtroom justices’ properties.

The protest is scheduled to wrap up about 4 p.m.

D.C. police stated to anticipate road closures within the Nationwide Mall space.

The rally was organized by a coalition of teams together with Girls’s March, Deliberate Parenthood Motion Fund and MoveOn.

What are the highway closures and no parking zones?

D.C. police say drivers might encounter road closures and no parking zones, however hadn’t launched a full listing by Friday morning.